Month: December 2015

  • Photography is Escapism

    Photography is Escapism

    I was driving on the freeway (the 5) and had a random thought:

  • What I Want For Christmas

    What I Want For Christmas

    What do I want for Christmas?

  • Dissatisfaction

    Dissatisfaction

    In American society— we are always told to buy more shit to take away our misery and dissatisfaction in our lives.

  • Do You Like Your Own Photos?

    Do You Like Your Own Photos?

    Dear friend, I want to tell you a story:

  • The “Personal Photography” Manifesto

    The “Personal Photography” Manifesto

    Dear friend, I want to propose a new school of photography called “personal photography.” Consider this letter as a way for me to work out some ideas, and to share some ideas with you.

  • Streettogs Academy Assignment No. 17

    Streettogs Academy Assignment No. 17

    For the latest Assignment over at Streettogs Academy, our editor’s choice, Jota Barros chose Self Awareness. (Details of joining and more info after the jump!)

  • Don’t Be a Brand-Slave

    Don’t Be a Brand-Slave

    Dear friend, I want to let you know— I am a brand-slave. Meaning; I love brands. I love the way they make me feel, but I am imprisoned by them.

  • What’s Holding You Back?

    What’s Holding You Back?

    Dear friend, I just wanted to write you this letter to share you some personal thoughts after reading “Capital” and “The Communist Manifesto” by Karl Marx. And no, it isn’t some crazy communist shit– it is rather about how you should never let anything hold you back from unlocking your creative potential.

  • Version II: Learn From the Masters of Street Photography

    Version II: Learn From the Masters of Street Photography

    After about a hundred shots of espresso, the newest “Learn From the Masters of Street Photography” PDF Book is live. This version (Version II) is the newest and cleanest version that distills the wisdom of the masters of street photography into 100 practical lessons. This book is “open-source” and free to download, edit, modify, translate, remix, and…

  • Hack Away at the Unessential

    Hack Away at the Unessential

    “It’s not the daily increase but the daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.” – Bruce Lee

  • Deep Focus

    Deep Focus

    I’m like a pigeon. I am so easily distracted. If you saw how many Google chrome tabs I have open at once, you’d know what I mean. When I was walking around in SF in Soma, I saw a sign that said: Deep Focus It really stuck to me the next few weeks. What is…

  • Streettogs Academy 16: “Outlandish” Results and Analysis

    Streettogs Academy 16: “Outlandish” Results and Analysis

    Better late than never as they say. The “ber” months have been tough on your admin balancing a busy schedule, the flu, and paying the bills. That said, I want to say that this assignment was a great treat. The entries are very creative and I’m happy with the continous participation of everyone despite my…

  • Don’t Be Afraid

    Don’t Be Afraid

    Don’t be afraid. Fear is what prevents your inner-artist from expressing itself. Fear is what prevents you from approaching that stranger you want to talk to/take a photo of. Fear is what holds you back from quitting your job, and traveling the world. Fear is what prevents you from approaching that curator to show your…

  • Why I Love Gulf Photo Plus in Dubai

    Why I Love Gulf Photo Plus in Dubai

    Dear streettogs, I am excited to share that I am one of the instructors at “Gulf Photo Plus 2016” this year. If you’ve never heard about the event, long story short— it is the most epic, fun, and educational photography-related event I have ever been to. The event “Gulf Photo Plus” is also the name…

  • Henri Neck Strap by Eric Kim

    Henri Neck Strap by Eric Kim

    HENRI Never Miss the Decisive Moment. Discover all of the camera straps made by HAPTIC INDUSTRIES: NEW Henri Wrist Strap Pro (with pad) Buy in Haptic Shop > Buy Phantom Black on Amazon > Buy Crema Brown on Amazon > Henri Shoulder Strap PHANTOM BLACK on Amazon > CREMA BROWN on Amazon > Henri Wrist…

  • What If You Took a Photo of Every Movement of Your Life?

    What If You Took a Photo of Every Movement of Your Life?

    Raise your hand if you don’t have enough time to make photos. [Raises hand]

  • Simple Contentment

    Simple Contentment

    Dear friend, I want to tell you about my camping trip in Yosemite during the thanksgiving break.

  • Street Photography Quick Links: Oct – Nov 2015

    Street Photography Quick Links: Oct – Nov 2015

    Street Photography Quick Links is a compilation of Links, Projects, News, Videos, Events, or anything that is related to street photography or photography in particular that I have personally consumed. Perhaps these might interest you or make you think. If you want to send some links my way, details will be at the bottom of the…

  • Neil Ta on Shooting Cuba with a Hasselblad XPan

    Neil Ta on Shooting Cuba with a Hasselblad XPan

    This is an interview between me and Neil Ta, my good friend (and manager). He’s recently taken his street photography to the next level by shooting exclusively with a Hasselblad Xpan (panoramic film camera), and has taken a few trips to Cuba. See his on-going edit of Cuba, and learn more about him and how…

  • Poetry and Photography: How Rainer Maria Rilke Is Relevant To Being A Photographer

    Poetry and Photography: How Rainer Maria Rilke Is Relevant To Being A Photographer

    “Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point…

  • Sensor Envy

    Sensor Envy

    Read this as a Google Doc I was talking with one of my friends and students David— and he has an excellent camera. He shot with an Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark II with a Lumix 15mm lens (30mm full-frame equivalent). I was actually curious about the camera (as Josh White, one of my best friends…